Wednesday 25th May

Today we came to the Calais area of France passing Gent, Bruge and Ostend in Belgium on the motorway. Just before the French border we came off the motorway and topped up with diesel. 

We went into Calais but couldn't cope with the parking requirements - you have to pay your parking charges by phone!? Calais now is like a fortress with kilometre after kilometre of double razorwire fences surrounding the ferry port and police patrols everywhere. Very depressing indeed.

 We came east again for about 15 kilometres to this small car park by the seaside dunes. It's called Plage D'Oye. There are two Netherlands vans and a German van here tonight plus ourselves.

It's a quiet little place - the restaurant is closed.

Sand dunes run down from our parking place towards the sea. 

Things are not totally okay. Ann has a bad cough and congested breathing. Our van is very difficult to start. I am feeling very nervous and lacking in confidence..

Today we traveled 129 miles (208 kilometres).